Enhancing traffic law enforcement training | Western Cape Government

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Enhancing traffic law enforcement training

19 December 2016

Keanon Cloete (20) is one of 15 provincial traffic officer students from the Gene Louw Traffic College helping to make our roads safer this festive season.

He was deployed at the Brackenfell Provincial Traffic Centre where he assists the traffic officers at the Joostenberg Vlakte weighbridge. Giving students practical exposure helps the Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) to keep road users safe. Experienced traffic officers assign law enforcement duties to trainees, monitor their performance, and mentor them.

Since August 2016, the trainees have been receiving firearm competency training, driver training (including articulated motor vehicle and motorcycle training), first aid training, and training in fighting fires.

Cloete says although he and his fellow trainees were occasionally exposed to vehicle check points on weekends, it took him time to adapt to the everyday duties of a traffic officer. “Being a traffic officer comes with a huge responsibility. The public expects us to improve road safety and to attend to any road emergency. Help from the experienced traffic officers made the transition much easier. I am learning to become to a team player and more importantly, that this exposure will give me the confidence to grow as I work towards becoming a qualified traffic officer,” he said.

DTPW will again rope in the trainees during the Easter holiday period. They are expected to graduate from the College in mid-2017. Spare a thought for those emergency personnel – traffic, police, medical services, and all the others – working tirelessly over the holidays to keep us safe. We owe them a sincere vote of thanks for all they do throughout the year.

The Gene Louw Traffic College offers 12-month traffic officer’s training courses for young people who meet applicable requirements. The College has a well-deserved reputation for producing dedicated and well-trained traffic officers. Courses usually start in July every year. Trainees must be employed in a vacant traffic officer post at a local authority or provincial administration.

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Media Enquiries: 
Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: Byron.laHoe@westerncape.gov.za
 

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW